TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert signed an administrative order Friday certifying new judge posts in 13 judicial districts statewide, including one in Crawford County in the 11th Judicial District.
This is the first time since 2008 new judge posts have been certified in any Kansas district court.
"We continue to evaluate case filings and judge workloads to verify we are able to meet the case processing needs of our communities," Luckert said in a press release. "This year, when we reported a persistent and growing need for more judges, the Legislature approved our request for funding. We are grateful for their support."
The National Center for State Courts conducted a weighted workload study for Kansas judges in 2020 to determine how many judges are needed to process the number and types of cases typically filed in Kansas courts.
The workload study measured actual work time to process cases. A concurrent survey assessed the extent to which judges have adequate time to perform their duties in a timely and high-quality manner.
In the 11th Judicial District, which consists of Cherokee, Labette, and Crawford counties, a new district magistrate judge position will be added in Crawford County. Judges are also being added in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 28th, and 31st judicial districts.
State law requires persons who fill district judge divisions to live within the judicial district. District magistrate judge positions are assigned to counties for residency requirements.
State law identifies district judge posts as “divisions” and district magistrate judge posts as “positions.” Newly certified district judge divisions and district magistrate judge positions in districts that elect judges will be filled according to provisions in state statute. Electees will serve four-year terms.
Newly certified district judge divisions in districts that have approved nonpartisan selection will be filled through a merit-based nomination process. A nominating commission evaluates candidates and submits the names of three to five nominees to the governor. The governor then decides whom to appoint.
New district magistrate judge positions in nonpartisan selection districts will also be filled through the merit-based nomination process. The nominating commission is authorized to decide whom to appoint to fill a district magistrate judge position after evaluating candidates.
After serving one full year in office, district judges and district magistrate judges appointed through the merit-based selection process must place their names on the retention ballot in the next general election to remain in the position. If voters retain them, they serve four-year terms.
The nominating commission for a district allocated a new judge will announce the application and interview schedule for each position. Interviews are open to the public.
State statute requires district magistrate judges to be a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months; and a resident of the county at the time of taking office and while holding office.
